His Reward is With Him

2006-11-13 13:06:00

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 22:10)

Again, John gives the message that the time is short which goes against the thought that the fulfillment of the book will be over 2000 years in the future. He is basically saying that the time to use the information in the book was not intended to be in a distant future, but from John's time onward. The time to tread the path of discipleship "is at hand."

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Revelation 22:11)

Here John is giving a principle. When we move from one point or sphere in our progression to another, whether it be on earth or the afterlife we are what we are. If we are flawed now we will not have some magic performed on us to make us perfect in the kingdom of heaven. We must obtain a level of perfection now instead of living below our abilities while exclaiming "Lord I believe!" and expecting God to do the rest for us.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)

Again we are told that Christ comes quickly. As soon as the disciple embraces the inner life the Christ within comes and performs the magical work of the soul.

Next we are told that the reward given out at the coming of Christ is with him. This does not make much sense when attempting to apply it to the traditional interpretation, but all becomes clear when applying it to the disciple as he seeks the presence of the inner Christ. When soul contact is achieved and the Christ consciousness is felt a great reward is obtained. The disciple indeed realizes that he is rewarded according his works. He sees that people are in delusion about life being unfair. Small slices of the life of the soul may seem unfair, but when seen, as a whole, life is indeed fair, making God fair.

We reap as we sow and when the disciple finally reaps the presence of the inner Christ the reward of this presence negates all sufferings and difficulties from the past.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Revelation 22:13)

We assume this is Christ or God speaking, but it is interesting to note that the person who is speaking is the angel, who was previously the apostle Paul. Why is this angel speaking as if he were the voice of God?

The answer is simple. When a disciple becomes one with God to the point that he can speak, as did Jesus, and say "I and my Father are one," then the voice of God or Christ can speak through him as if he were them.

The angel says he is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, because in the beginning he was one with God and in the end he is also one with God.

The only difference is, in the end, he has a realization of what life would be like without this oneness and when the final union is achieved he is conscious of the quality of life he is experiencing.

The next verses are:

¹⁴ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

¹⁵ For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

¹⁶ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:14-17

Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery.
Dr. Joyce Brothers (1928 - )